Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Must Sell Belongings to Pay School Bill

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela owes a private school money and must sell her possessions to pay the bill. – image – www.telegraph.co.uk

The ex-wife of former President Nelson Mandela must sell her valuables and pay off her debt at a private school where she is responsible for the tuition fees of a family member. The New Age reported that a South African court has ordered Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to auction off items including expensive art and a tea set so that she can settle her debt.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has had a generous share of bad publicity since her separation from Madiba in 1994. Ten years ago, Madikizela-Mandela was found guilty of abusing her position as the president of the ANC Women’s League to fraudulently access finance from a bank. Earlier this year, authorities were trying to determine if Madikizela-Mandela had a hand in the deaths of the two young men who she had claimed were spies for the apartheid government.

According to The New Age, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela earns a little less than R 1 million per year. No explanation has come to light as to why she did not settle the account, said to be around R 40 000, with the school before the matter went to court. The court order states that the prescribed items will go on auction next Tuesday.

Madikizela-Mandela and former President Mandela were married five years before he was sent to Robben Island. He was in prison for most of their marriage. They were already separated by the time he became president in 1994. Four years later, Mandela tied the knot with Graca Machel. He is still married to the widow of Mozambican President Samora Machel.